Albion Women 3 West Ham 0: Maisie Symonds scores from 30 yards

Brighton & Hove Albion^1,2,3 Women beat West Ham United 3-0 at the Amex on Saturday, in heavy rain and strong wind. It was their second Women’s Super League win of the season and their first clean sheet in the league.

Captain Maisie Symonds opened the scoring after 29 minutes. A headed clearance fell to her 30 yards out, the crowd urged her to shoot, and her half-volley flew into the top right-hand corner.

“I don’t even remember it,” she said afterwards. “It just fell and I think it was in the back of the net before I knew anything about it.”

Albion had the better of the early chances. Olivia Garcia had a shot saved by Constance Picaud in the 11th minute, and Emilie Joramo’s effort from the edge of the box was deflected wide.

In the 63rd minute Marisa Olislagers crossed to the far post and Fran Kirby, playing further forward than usual, tapped in. Moments later Kiko Seike chipped the keeper from Joramo’s pass to make it 3-0. That is her third goal in her last three WSL games against West Ham. Substitute Emily Murphy had a fourth ruled out for offside in the 80th minute.

Head coach Arturo Ruiz said his side changed their plan once they saw West Ham’s starting XI. “I will say that it is the most complete game for us, but I don’t forget the good performances that we’ve done so far in which we didn’t get the 3-0s,” he said. “It all takes time, but now I feel very happy about the three points.”

He gave the visitors credit too: “I think West Ham played a very good game and that gives value to our victory.”

Albion are away to Wolverhampton Wanderers Women at the SEAH Stadium on Wednesday at 7.30pm. Their next home game is against Palace at Broadfield Stadium on Sunday 1 November, at 2pm.